As we all should. Life is too short to be surprised about not working for a month.

I bet that’s Europe, it’s not uncommon

Yess, we were the software team for a university library. There wasn't a lot of pressure and people on my team generally had a chill and comfortable life.

However, there wasn't a lot of room for ambition.

In Europe totally, and for example in Germany it's customary to get you six week vacation in the summer.

This also has the benefit that the workplace has to have real back-up person for all matters, as six weeks is too long to shove everything under the carpet waiting for your return.

>Is that kind of stuff common? People checking out on Black Friday and coming back for New Year's?

Happens the further up you get in management, especially if you are in an industry that already takes a long break around christmas/newyears.